Machine for positioning large cartons



Dec. 25, 1962 v. NIELSEN 3,0

momma FOR POSITIONING LARGE CARTONS Filed Jan. 9, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Vande/ L. N/e/sen Afforne y Dec..25, 1962 v. L. NIELSEN 3, 69, 8

MACHINE FOR POSITIONING LARGE CARTONS Filed Jan. 9, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 a J 2/ 9 19a 5 M M I ATTORNEY Dec. 25, 1962 v. L. NIELSEN 3,069,828

INVENTQR; Vanoe/ L. Nre/sen h A ffi nqy Dec. 25, 1962 v. L. NlELSEN 3,069,828

MACHINE FOR POSITIONING LARGE CARTONS Filed Jan. 9, 1961 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FILTER Oil Res.

INVENTOR.

l gnc/ Z L .NI'e/Sen United States Patent Ofifice assaszs Patented Dec. 25, 1952 3,969,823 MACHINE FUR PUSETEGNENG LARGE QARTGNS Vandal L. Nielsen, Grand Rapids, Mich, assignor to (Ihristine Nielsen, Grcenville, Mich. Filed Jan. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 81,564 6 Qiairns. (Cl. 553-374) This invention relates to packaging machinery, and provides a machine for handling large cartons during the closure and sealing of the flaps. The invention has been adapted primarily as a piece of production line equipment for use in the manufacture of large household appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, etc. It is conventional practice to complete the assembly of these appliances with the underside of them supported on a pallet carried on a conveyor. At the end of the assembly operations, a carton is slipped over the top of the appliance, and the top flaps of the carton are closed and sealed.

Closing and sealing the bottom flaps presents a greater problem, as the support of the appliance must be temporarily altered. A machine embodying this invention rotates the carton with the appliance preferably 90 degrees to a new position of rest, places the appliance in proper position in the carton, and provides clearance for the closure of the flaps opposite the bottom of the appliance. The several features of the invention will be discussed in further detail through an analysis of the particular embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 presents a perspective View of the machine in the initial position, with an appliance within a carton, and the upper flaps of the carton presumed closed.

FIGURE 2 presents a. perspective view in side elevation illustrating a subsequent position of the machine, with the carton rotated to a new rest position, and with the bottom ilaps closed after the appliance has been properly placed within the carton.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional elevation of the machine in the position shown in FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 presents a perspective view of the rear portion of the machine in the FIGURE 1 position, and

illustrating the position and relationship of the active components.

FIGURE 5 is a schematic diagram showing the oper- I ating circuits of the machine.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of the one-Way valve actuator.

The illustrated machine includes a base generally indicated ends, which includes the uprights 11 and t2, the horizontals l3 and 1d, and horizontal members 15 and 16 interconnecting the ends. The structural details of the base are of secondary importance, and may be altered to suit the materials available. The primary function of the base lit is to provide a pivotal support at the bearings 17 for the movable frame 18.

The preferred form of the frame 13 is essentially L- shaped in configuration, and has portions which receive the carton in two different positions, respectively. The first of these portions is indicated generally at 19, and includes a supporting structure of interconnected steel beams of convenient cross section which serve as a mounting for the section of roller conveyor indicated at 1%. When in the FIGURE 1 position of the machine, this section of roller conveyor forms a continuing part of the assembly conveyor of the factory. When a carton reaches the position shown in FIGURE 1, the machine is energized by the foot control 2d, and the operation of the machine begins. When the carton indicated in dotted lines at 21 was placed over the contained appliance, the two flaps 22 and 23 will normally at it formed by similar structure at the opposite lay along the surface of the conveyor, in the position illustrated in FIGURE 1. over the edge of the conveyor as shown, and the opposite flap can be accommodated in similar position as a result of the presence of the slots 25 in the beam structure 1?. As an alternative to this arrangement, a deflector of conventional design may be incorporated in the conveyor to gradually move the rear flap into a position extending upwardly from the corner of the carton along the side of the carton.

With the frame 18 supported on the shaft 26 in the bearings 17, actuation of the air cylinder 7 against the action of the damping cylinder 23 will move the frame 18, together with the appliance and carton, from the FIGURE 1 position to the FIGURE 2 position. The opposite ends of both the cylinders 27 and 23 are pivotally connected to the base it? and to the frame 18, respectively. The damping cylinder 28 is essentially a conventional hydraulic unit functioning as a governor, and controlling the rate of rotation of tie frame as a function of the amount of constriction in the hydraulic lines.

The rotation of the frame 18 into the FIGURE 2 position proceeds until the fixed cam 2% (refer to FIG- 7 RE 4) contacts the arm of the limit switch 2?. This switch controls one circuit of the solenoid-operated air valve 3% and supplies air pressure through the conduit 31 to the positioning cylinder 32 secured to the portion 19 of the frame. The ram member 33 is mounted on the piston rod 34 controlled by the cylinder 32, and actuation of the cylinder applies a force which shoves the appliance and the carton to the right, as shown in PEGURE 3, away from the portion 19 and against the barrier 35. In the retracted position of the cylinder 32, the arms as-sa are received in notches 4% in the central rails 41 of the roller conveyor section 1%. The arms 36-39 are in position to fit down betw en the rollers so that the plane of tangency at the top of the rollers is not intersected by the arms in the retracted position.

In the preferred form of the invention, the member supporting the carton in the FiGURE 2 position is a carrier 18a supported on rollers bearing on the side members 43 and 44 of the frame 18 as shown at ilo-c, and on similar rollers at the opposite side of the machine. The purpose of the carrier 18a is to provide for easier movement of the carton 21 as it is shifted from one position to another. The cylinder 55 is mounted on the cross member 46 of the frame 18, and the rod 47 of the cylinder 45 is connected to the bracket 48 of the carrier 18a. The barrier structure includes a fixed member 49 secured to the carrier lltla in perpendicular relationship, and a plate Ell is resiliently mounted with respect to the member 49 on the spring units 51, 52, 53, and a similar spring unit (not shown) in a position diagonally opposite from the unit 51.

As the cylinder 32 forces the contents of the carton into the carton and against the plate Stl, the limit position is reached in which the switch 534 is actuated. The switch 54 controls a circuit of the solenoid valve 36 which reverses the pressure at the cylinder 32 and retracts the member 33. Prior to this time, the actuation of the switch 29 has caused the valve 3% to extend the lock bar 55 into position between the abutments 56 mounted on the plate 57 secured to the carrier 18a to hold it against the force of the cylinder 32. To permit the cylinder to position the carrier 18a for flap-closure clearance, the solenoid valve 3th is also connected to cause the withdrawal of the bar in response to the actuation of the switch 54 through the supply of pressure to the cylinder 58 through the conduit 59. Placement of the bar 55 in looking position had been in response to pressure sup- The flap 24 can hang down $1 plied to vthe conduit so. The solenoid valve 363 is a standard device, the structure of which forms no part of this invention. The conduit 5% is connected to induce retraction ofthe cylinder 32 by pressure supplied from the conduit 59.

The withdrawal of the locking bar 55 carries with it :the transverse extension 61 carrying the pivoted dog s2 .mounted to control the arm 63 of the valve 64. This valve controls a delay device as which determines the application of air to the retraction side of tie cylinder 45 through the conduit 66. The carrier is retracted under theserconditions to the right, as shown at FIGURE 2, and remains there until opposite actuation of the foot :valve 26, which applies pressure to the conduit 67 to :move the carrier to the left and place the carton against the roller conveyor section 1% The dog s2 is pivotally mounted on the pin 62a. of the extension 61 so that the valve arm 63 is actuated only on downward movement. -As the locking bar 55 is extended upwardly into engagement with the abutment 56, on the next cycle of the machine, the dog 62 will move past the arm 63 against the .action of the spring 6219 without actuating the valve 64.

Air pressure is supplied to the machine through the -'conduit 63, and the installation preferably includes a filter 6% and an oiler 7% in the air circuit. After the air has passed through the filter and oiler, one branch of the circuit extends to the foot valve 2%} through the conduit 71, and the other to the solenoid valve 30 through the conduit 72. An off-on switch 7'3 is preferably included for the electrical power supply.

The particular embodiments of the present invention which have been illustrated and discussed herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as a'limitation upon the scope of the appended claims. In these claims, it is my intent to claim the entire invention disclosed herein, except as I am limited by the prior art.

I claim:

1. A machine for positioning cartons, said machine comprising: a frame having first and second carton-receiving portions substantially perpendicular to each other; .ram means mounted on said first portion for exerting forces against the contents of cartons in a direction perpendicular to said first portion; carton-carriage means movably mounted on said second portion for movement toward and away from said first portion, said carriage means including a barrier for engaging cartons to prevent them from sliding along said carriage means; locking means for preventing movement of said carriage with respect to said second portion; means for releasing said locking means in response to pressure on said barrier; actuating means for positioning said carriage with respect to said second portion; a base structure pivotally supporting said frame; and means for selectively rotating said frame between positions in which said first and second portions are in horizontal supporting position.

2. A machine for positioning cartons, said machine comprising: a frame having first and second carton-receiving portions substantially perpendicular to each other; ram means mounted on said first portion for exerting forces against the contents of cartons in a direction perpendicular to said first portion; carton-carriage means movably mounted on said second portion for movement toward and away from said first portion, said carriage means including a barrier for. engaging cartons to prevent them from sliding along said carriage means; locking means for preventing movement of said carriage with respect to said second portion; actuating means for positioning said carriage with respect to said second portion; a base structure pivotally supporting said frame; and means for selectively rotating said frame between positions in which said first and second portions are in horizontal supporting position.

3. A machine for positioning cartons, said machine comprising: a frame having first and second carton-receiving portions substantially perpendicular to each other; ram means mounted on said first portion for exerting forces against the contents of cartons in a direction perpendicular to said first portion; carton-carriage means movabiy mounted on said second portion for movement toward and away from said first portion, said carriage means including a barrier for engaging cartons to prevent them from sliding along said carriage means; actuating means for positioning said carriage with respect to said second portion; a base structure pivotally supporting said frame; and means for selectively rotating said frame between positions in which said first and second portions are in horizontal supporting position.

4. A machine for positioning cartons, said machine comprising: a frame having first and second cartonreceiving portions substantially perpendicular to each other; ram means mounted on said first portion for exerting forces against the contents of cartons in a direction perpendicular to said first portion; a barrier for engaging cartons to limit movement thereof with respect to said frame means; actuating means for positioning cartons with respect to said second portion toward and away from said first portion; a base structure pivotally supporting said frame; and means for selectively rotating said frame between positions in which said first and second portions are in horizontal supporting position.

5. A machine for positioning cartons, said machine comprising: a frame having first and second cartonreceiving portions substantially perpendicular to each other; ram means mounted on said first portion for exerting forces against the contents of cartons in a direction perpendicular to said first portion; actuating means for positioning cartons on said second portion toward and away from said first portion; a base structure pivotally supporting said frame; and means for selectively rotating said frame between positions in which said first and second portions are in horizontal supporting position.

6. A machine for positioning cartons, said machine comprising: a frame having first and second cartonreceiving portions substantially perpendicular to each other; ram means mounted on said first portion for exerting forces against the contents of cartons in a direction perpendicular to said first portion; control means operable to actuate and retract said ram means; a base structure pivotally supporting said frame; and means for selectively rotating said frame between positions in which said first and second portions are in horizontal supporting position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,941,339 Salwasser June 21, 1960. 

